The DeSmet leader. (DeSmet, Kingsbury Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-07-09


which are being moulded the living
statues which are to adorn the historic
galleries OF life. Fountain.
MISCELLANEOUS EXERCISES
FOR THE SCIIOOL-ROOM.
Teachers and pupils must be sup and
doing" II they would keep pace with
this lightning-footed age.
The great demand in our schools Is
for more general information, and
every teacher should do all in his power
to induce pupils to think and inrestigdte.
There are pupils who have ''been
through" text books hy the score and
can repeat page after page of defini-
tons, rules, ETC., yet they do not un-
derstand the primary working Of the
government in which they live.
There are teachers who will say to
themselves. 20. well, what is the use
for me to try to do anything in partic,l-
lar, away off here in this out-of the
way placer Who will there be to know
or appreciate my workY" 1t will pay
you in more ways than one to turn your
energy INTO enlivening these waste
places, and making the wilderness
blossom as the rose.n In the first
place you cannot tell what great results
may spring from your work here in the
minds of the awkward, stupid and Wis
cious ones. Secondly ones good works
return to him again In the form of in
creased power, and you will better cope
with greater difficulties. Third,
"Honor and shame from no condition rise:
Act well thy part. there all honor lies.'
To get pupils of different dispositions
interested in our general exercises, We
must use great deal Of ingenuity in
our selections, for great variety of SUBJ
jects will be necessary.
The subject of literature is gaining
the attention OF our best Instructors.
Let MS discuss briefly methods by which
we can get our Jupils interested In lit
erary pursuits.
Select choice poetry or prose and have
a portion read by the teacher sometimes
and often by pupils. DO not stop with
reading. but get as many thoughts re-
produced by pupils as possible. The
next day have the pupils wdte the Sc
lection read from memory as lam
guage or reading lesson. After read
ing selections from standard author.
a sketch OF his life should be read.
The leading points In this should be
commented upon by the teacher and
at another recitation called for and
given by the pupils either written from
memory or orally as preferred.
Another way to awaken interest is to
give a few Of the important facts in the
life Of any great man and let the pupils
determine who You are thinking of. In
a short time they will be able TO give
the facts themselves, and others of the
class will guess whose life has been
given. Pupils will soon become inter-
ested in the lives Of great men and the
lessons learned cannot fail to elevate
the standard of morality.
A good morning exercise is to have
the pupils tell something they have
read at home. In these exercises always
correct mistakes In expression Of
thought and allow pupils to criticise.
At first but few will have anything,
but others not wishing to be behind
will ''read up, and, better still all, will
remember what has been told. There
are some who from timidity and care
lessness will take no part in such exer-
cises, but the teachers genius and
knowledge of human nature will getall
interested sooner or later.
Another way to get pupils to read.
and a way which usually creates the
most excitement, If rightly managed, is
the Queer Queries. 2 AT night place
on the board some miscellaneous gues-
tions similar to those written below.
Two or three at time is sufficient.
Give them a day or 80 to look up an
swers. Some of these Queries have
not only excited the scholars to study,
but they have gotten up great interest
in the surrounding neighborhood. !
have tried this with the best success
and have been able to allow the pupils
in turn to give a question for the "luer-
ies," and was agreeably surprised by
the judgement and skill shown by pu-
pills in giving suitable questions. They
will try to ask something to make the
others search. and thus dictionaries and
encyclopedias are brought into requisi-
tion. Try the Queries" but do not
fail to suit the questions to the grade
Of pupils.
/. Is 1t proper to say Mr.. and Mrs
President Cleyelandg
2. Who was the Bachelor Presi-
dents''
8. What was La Fayette's fullnanaeY
A. When Is man taller--in the morn
ing or EVENING"
5. What general could sleep on his
horse during battleY
8. What are called the Learned
Professions?''
Z. What American poet has probably
been most exclusively read?
s. How many sides has the cell Of .
honeycomb?
8. In what word has the Z sound?
10. Who Is the author Of "Homo
Sweet Iomeyr 4.
/ JOLLY PEDAooouE. q
There are a few strong reasons why
every teacher should takean eliucaticn-
al paper. 1t gives the rews Of the pro-